South African Football Association<\/a> (Johannesburg)<\/p>\n21 December 2011<\/p>\n
\nMighty Warriors of Zimbabwe head coach, Rosemary Mugadza, has lauded both Banyana Banyana and head coach Joseph Mkhonza for raising the bar as far as women’s football is concerned in the Southern African region.<\/p>\n
Talking ahead of the Unity Cup clash between hosts Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Rufaro Stadium on Thursday, 22 December 2011, Mugadza said qualification for the Olympic Games in London next year by Banyana Banyana is a good sign for the COSAFA region.<\/p>\n
“The winds of change are blowing, thanks to Mkhonza and his girls. In the past it used to be Nigeria, Ghana and then at times Equatorial Guinea but with Banyana Banyana qualifying for the Olympics, it can only spell good news for this part of the continent,” said Mugadza.<\/p>\n
“I am very ecstatic. This is the team I will root for them during the Olympics because South Africa is part of us.”<\/p>\n
When she first met her South African counterpart (Joseph Mkhonza) this week, her first pleasantries were about wishing Banyana Banyana well in London.<\/p>\n
“What this means is that Banyana Banyana’s success will rub off on most of our players. I intend to get in touch with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to arrange a number of exchange programmes with South African High Performance Centre. Our other intention is to compliment Banyana Banyana’s success.<\/p>\n
They need credible opponents in the region if they are to remain on top. I have always argued that for soccer in this region and sub-Saharan Africa at large to improve, South Africa will be a vital driver, and the success of Banyana Banyana in Africa is there for all to see,” added Mugadza.<\/p>\n
About tomorrow’s game, Mugadza said the Mighty Warriors were upbeat about winning the trophy.<\/p>\n
“It is a grudge match. The players still have fresh memories of the humiliation in Maputo where South Africa hammered us 4-1. We want to erase that tomorrow.”<\/p>\n
Banyana Banyana beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in the same tournament last year and Mugadza said the hosts wanted to put to an end the dominance by their more illustrious opponents.<\/p>\n
“We know it will be a tough challenge as they are preparing for the Olympics and are treating these matches seriously.<\/p>\n
It is only South Africa and Cameroon which will represent Africa at the Olympics in this category, so getting a chance to play such a team often means a lot to us and beating them would mean even more,” said the Zimbabwean coach.<\/p>\n
The match kicks off at 15h00.<\/p>\n
AllAfrica – All the Time<\/p>\n
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